Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, September 4, 2021 • 1:05 PM – Game 1
Nationals Park • Washington, D.C.
RHP Marcus Stroman (9-12, 2.85) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (6-9, 5.08)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets are now only four games out of first place!

The Mets returned to .500 last night, winning their sixth game in a row (officially it’s their fifth game in a row since one of the games was a continuation of a game from April). The Mets had tons of opportunities to score early in the game, but could only plate two during the first nine innings. Edwin Díaz allowed two runs to score in the bottom of the ninth, so we got free baseball. The Mets exploded in the top of the 10th, scoring four runs and held on to win the game 6-2.

Meanwhile, the Braves lost to the Rockies, the Phillies lost to the Marlins, and the Reds lost to the Tigers. The Mets are now four games out for both the division lead and the second wild card. Due to the Nationals COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of the season, the Mets also get to play two games today. Huge day in Mets land.

Mets Lineup

Marcus Stroman gets the start in the first game today.

This will also be the eighth time this season Stroman has started a doubleheader. Over 28 games and 151 2/3 innings, Stroman has a 2.85 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 1.127 WHIP and a 139 ERA+. In his last two starts, he’s pitched 12 innings allowing four runs off of 11 hits and three walks while striking out 11. In the month of August, he faced the Nationals twice, pitching 11 1/3 innings, allowing three runs off of ten hits and three walks.

The Nationals have the following numbers against him:

Nationals Lineup

The Mets match up again with Erick Fedde who make his 23rd start this season.

Over 108 innings, Fedde has posted a 5.08 ERA, 4.33 FIP, 1.426 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. In his last seven starts, he has allowed 24 runs (22 earned) over 36 innings (5.50 ERA) with opponents slashing .300/.348/.493 against him. This includes two starts against the Mets where he pitched 9.1 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) off of 16 hits. Fedde has also thrown a gem against the Mets (June 18th) where he held the Mets scoreless over seven innings.

The Mets have the following numbers against him:

Game Notes

James McCann (back spasms) returns from the injured list and will be the 29th man for the doubleheader today. He will likely start Game 2, especially with Chance Sisco shaken up after a collision at the plate Friday night. (Sisco is doing “better than we expected” Saturday, Luis Rojas said.)

Let’s go Mets!